View Full Version : Euro practice of volume etched/printed on beer glasses


Duhey2
Jan 14, 07, 12:19 am
I love this concept and would love to see it in place in the US. Too many places are stocking these pint looking glasses that are actually 12 oz.

Kinda on a similary vein, just last week we went to an irish pub that recently opened and was super busy. They pride themselves on 20 oz. imperial pints but since they were so busy...they resorted to 16 oz. Solo plastic cups as they couldn't clean glasses fast enough. After we paid our check (we had dinner) a manager stopped by and cleared some plates and I pointed out they shouldn't be charging full price for the plastic cups. He asked what I meant and I showed how their draught lists gives the beer prices at 20 oz. but the plastic cup is only 16. He offered to give me another one and I told him "that's not what I'm looking for." He said, "no, you're right. Let me get you another one." Just think how many people got overcharged 25% by accepting the plastic cups.

xanthuos
Jan 15, 07, 5:00 am
Good point...although I'm loathe to want anything "regulated" by the government, I wouldn't mind it if establishments took it upon themselves to do this.

alex0683de
Jan 15, 07, 5:39 am
I love this concept and would love to see it in place in the US. Too many places are stocking these pint looking glasses that are actually 12 oz.

Kinda on a similary vein, just last week we went to an irish pub that recently opened and was super busy. They pride themselves on 20 oz. imperial pints but since they were so busy...they resorted to 16 oz. Solo plastic cups as they couldn't clean glasses fast enough. After we paid our check (we had dinner) a manager stopped by and cleared some plates and I pointed out they shouldn't be charging full price for the plastic cups. He asked what I meant and I showed how their draught lists gives the beer prices at 20 oz. but the plastic cup is only 16. He offered to give me another one and I told him "that's not what I'm looking for." He said, "no, you're right. Let me get you another one." Just think how many people got overcharged 25% by accepting the plastic cups.

You summed up very well why those markings are there, and I like the system. The markings are printed by the manufacturers of the glasses and the government checks those every once in a while to make sure they're in the right place.

Enforcement on the restaurant/bar level is by patrons who will definitely speak up if they're not getting their due.

It's not as bureaucratic as you might think.

TMOliver
Jan 15, 07, 11:47 am
You summed up very well why those markings are there, and I like the system. The markings are printed by the manufacturers of the glasses and the government checks those every once in a while to make sure they're in the right place. Enforcement on the restaurant/bar level is by patrons who will definitely speak up if they're not getting their due. It's not as bureaucratic as you might think.

All across the US, draught beer drinkers are routinely "cheated" by the us of thick-walled mugs of small capacity, often paying more for a 12 ounce draft than for a bottle or can of similar capacity, while the establishment's gross profit from the barrel is much higher. Once a barman, back in the halcyon days of my college career, I've always been amazed that more folks don't recognize and fight back. I see nothing wrong with the "state" (and in the US, almost all "liquor laws" arise from individual state legislatures) requiring that beer glasses/mugs/tankards/horns/etc. come with the capacity clearly marked.

After all, every other alcoholic beverage container has the volume clearly printed on the can, box, bottle or label.